"I've been told about it, but I don't like it," Rivera told MLB.com's Joey Nowak. “And the reason why I say that is it’s not what I do. What I do is close the games; I don’t start the games. It’s a privilege and honor, but I’m not contemplating it.”

While starting the game would guarantee Rivera an appearance in the Midsummer classic, Rivera wants to keep things normal and "right."

"I think the right thing is to do it the way it [normally] is," Rivera said. "I don't want to start the game and give up 10 runs in the first inning. I'd rather pitch in the ninth than the first."

Rivera is tied for the Major League lead in saves with Pittsburgh closer Jason Grilli and Baltimore's Jim Johnson. Each have 26 apiece.